Funeral Information
Location:
Ruby Funeral Services & Crematories
Date: 02-20-2026
Time: 10:00 AM
Time: 10:00 AM
Visitation Information
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Ruby Funeral Services & Crematories
Date:
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Obituary
Frederick Alphonso McClain, Sr., departed this life on February 13, 2026, at Memorial Hospital. He was born June 17, 1958, in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, the son of Jail McClain and Lewis McClain.
Fred was country-raised, and he carried that “country roads” spirit everywhere he went. As a young man, he was an avid football and baseball player—competitive, determined, and built with the kind of grit you can’t teach.
For many years, Fred dedicated his working life to the Springfield Housing Authority, showing up, doing the job, and handling business the way he believed it should be handled—solid, consistent, and dependable.
Fred loved the simple joys that somehow end up being the biggest joys: fishing, hunting, cracking a cold beer, and—most famously—“FIYAH UP DA GRILL.” His favorite drink was Miller High Life, and if you knew him, you already know the grill wasn’t just cooking to Fred, it was a whole personality trait.
Despite not having any legs, Fred still “stood on business.” He had strength that didn’t depend on what life took—it depended on what he refused to let life take: his pride, his humor, and his love for his people.
He lived by a simple promise: “If you need it, I got it,” and he meant it—Fred would say it and then actually produce the item. Fred might tell a tale, but he would never tell a lie. No matter how big or outrageous the story sounded, he always stood on business and earned his respect.
He was also known for his snakeskin boots and the wisdom that came with them. Fred always told his children to be careful because “a snake is always watching.”
Above everything else, Fred’s favorite title was Father. He cherished all of his children equally and made it a point that no one ever felt left out. To him, his children were his legacy—and he protected that legacy with his whole heart.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Jail McClain and Lewis McClain; son, Frederick Alphonso McClain, Jr.; and brothers, Willie McClain and Arthur Lee McClain.
He leaves to cherish memories: his daughters, Melanie McClain (Quincy Barber) of Decatur, Georgia, and Marquita Collins of Springfield, Illinois; and grandchildren, Deshawn McCloud, Tarahan Norris, Mykah McClain, and Makenli McClain. He is also survived by a loving extended family, including his brothers, Lewis McClain, Jr. (Delonda), Arthur B. McClain, Sr. (Sallie), Leonard McClain, Robert McClain (Kathy), David Lee McClain, Sr. (Mayola), Milton McClain (Oteka), and James Sims (Shannon); and hissisters Leola Scott, Linda McClain, Betty McClain-Thomas (Rev. Clarence), and Margaret Black; along with a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Fred was country-raised, and he carried that “country roads” spirit everywhere he went. As a young man, he was an avid football and baseball player—competitive, determined, and built with the kind of grit you can’t teach.
For many years, Fred dedicated his working life to the Springfield Housing Authority, showing up, doing the job, and handling business the way he believed it should be handled—solid, consistent, and dependable.
Fred loved the simple joys that somehow end up being the biggest joys: fishing, hunting, cracking a cold beer, and—most famously—“FIYAH UP DA GRILL.” His favorite drink was Miller High Life, and if you knew him, you already know the grill wasn’t just cooking to Fred, it was a whole personality trait.
Despite not having any legs, Fred still “stood on business.” He had strength that didn’t depend on what life took—it depended on what he refused to let life take: his pride, his humor, and his love for his people.
He lived by a simple promise: “If you need it, I got it,” and he meant it—Fred would say it and then actually produce the item. Fred might tell a tale, but he would never tell a lie. No matter how big or outrageous the story sounded, he always stood on business and earned his respect.
He was also known for his snakeskin boots and the wisdom that came with them. Fred always told his children to be careful because “a snake is always watching.”
Above everything else, Fred’s favorite title was Father. He cherished all of his children equally and made it a point that no one ever felt left out. To him, his children were his legacy—and he protected that legacy with his whole heart.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Jail McClain and Lewis McClain; son, Frederick Alphonso McClain, Jr.; and brothers, Willie McClain and Arthur Lee McClain.
He leaves to cherish memories: his daughters, Melanie McClain (Quincy Barber) of Decatur, Georgia, and Marquita Collins of Springfield, Illinois; and grandchildren, Deshawn McCloud, Tarahan Norris, Mykah McClain, and Makenli McClain. He is also survived by a loving extended family, including his brothers, Lewis McClain, Jr. (Delonda), Arthur B. McClain, Sr. (Sallie), Leonard McClain, Robert McClain (Kathy), David Lee McClain, Sr. (Mayola), Milton McClain (Oteka), and James Sims (Shannon); and hissisters Leola Scott, Linda McClain, Betty McClain-Thomas (Rev. Clarence), and Margaret Black; along with a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.